Movies and interviews from 8 October 2013

When Keller Dover's daughter and her friend go missing, he takes matters into his own hands as the police pursue multiple leads and the pressure mounts.

Margaret: David:

Prisoners

Rated MA

Review by Margaret Pomeranz

Quebec filmmaker Denis Villeneuve has snared top talent for PRISONERS, his first English language film, with JAKE GYLLENHAAL playing Loki, a cop investigating the disappearance of two girls on Thanksgiving. They're the daughters of Keller and Grace Dover - HUGH JACKMAN and Maria Bello and of the friends they were spending the day with - Franklin and Nancy - TERRENCE HOWARD and VIOLA DAVIS. An immediate suspect is local lad Alex - PAUL DANO.

When Alex is discovered to be mentally challenged and is released on insufficient evidence Keller decides to take matters into his own hands.

At two and a half hours the film certainly takes its time to establish in detail every process of the various and varying journeys but actually the film is never less than riveting. I think the performances have much to do with that and the fact that Villeneuve has a real talent for visual composition, Roger Deakins was the cinematographer, and he also has an ability to create moments of tremendously effective tension. There's an elusiveness to the character of Loki that is intriguing but you actually never doubt his devotion to the task at hand. I'm not sure I buy the way humans are depicted in their reactions to extraordinary stress and the resolution is much more explicit than it need be, but Prisoners is certainly a very accomplished film.

Further comments

MARGARET: David?

DAVID: It's a very dark film and, yes, I thought it was very good. I like Denis Villeneuve's INCENDIES, his last film before this, and this is even better, I think. It takes this tragic story of the disappearance of these two little girls and takes it to areas that you wouldn't really expect, because there's more than one prisoner in the film. The title, PRISONERS, is referred to and there's various layers.

MARGARET: Well, actually, yes, very many more than one.

DAVID: Yes. So I though the performances were fantastic. I think Hugh Jackman is incredibly good in this and also Jake Gyllenhaal. In fact, they are all extremely good.

MARGARET: This creation of a man who feels it's his responsibility to look after his family and he hasn't done that and you really understand that in him, that feeling of failure in himself.

DAVID: But it's also interesting because this man that Hugh Jackman plays is not only very determined to look after his family but he's also the kind of American who - I mean he's religious. He's Christian but he has, in his cellar, all these things ready for some kind of disaster in the future. He has guns, he has a storage of tin foods.

MARGARET: Supplies.

DAVID: Supplies, everything for whatever it is that he's saving for or waiting for.

MARGARET: But there's also with the character of Loki, that elusiveness of character.

DAVID: Absolutely.

MARGARET: The tattoos that are never explained, the aloneness and doggedness of this man.

steve :

aussiegreg :

01 Sep 2014 7:40:58pm

((Prisoners))[[9]][SPOILERS] I thought Melissa Leo was the standout performance here, a woman driven mad by the death of her son but still terrifyingly, lucidly rational. Then Paul Dano as her "adopted" son and former captive, protecting her secret even while being beaten to a pulp and subjected to water torture. Special mention to her now-grown-up escaped captive, so damaged by his boyhood experience he stole clothing and used pig's blood and mannequins to mimic what his captors had done, obsessively reproducing in pointless detail the now-dead husband's maze medallion which still hung around his neck as his corpse rotted away.

Anita :

10 Jul 2014 9:13:41pm

((Prisoners))[[9]]A riveting movie on all counts. I was gripped from beginning to end. Had all the elements you would want in a good flick - riveting performances (how nice to see Hugh showing his depth again) and intriguing story. Almost a Hollywood ending but not quite. Saved it. Loved it. Amazing - watch it!!!

Solid :

18 Apr 2014 2:02:58pm

((Prisoners))[[9]]Great movie, confused at the people who think the film supports torture and gun violence... Seriously? The torture is shown to be pointless as the information collected is trivial and doesn't help in anyway. The gun violence is never portrayed positively and the harm that guns cause is pretty clear.

Christian G :

addison de witt :

07 Mar 2014 12:35:17pm

((Prisoners))[[7]]A sometimes gripping, unpleasant, pulpy film with more implausibilities than you could drive a truck through. Firstly, would a decent law abiding couple -Terrence Howard and Viola Davis, ever be persuaded by an hysterical, overacting Hugh Jackman to enter into a hideous crime, torturing a simple man who could easily have been innocent? Hardly.Up to that point it had me, then it lost me. It's an interminable, often exciting episode of CSI really, with great production values and a top cast. But the more you think about it, the less impressive it is. And it's seriously nasty.

Grover :

19 Dec 2013 11:20:43pm

((Prisoners))[[6]]Initial feel was 4, maybe even 4.5 stars however once i mulled over it the next day I found myself decreasing its value. I made my mind up quite early who the real perpetrator was, endured a further hour or more of red herrings which brought me to question my original call only to find I was right all along! Loki was too dismissive too often, Alex suddenly became an innocent party, Kellor somehow loses his survival instincts etc.Too many random discrepancies in plot, character development and their interactions to give it higher grade. Watchable all the same.

jenny :

05 Dec 2013 4:35:20pm

((Prisoners))[[10]]Can't understand why people condemn this film for the depiction of torture. The resolution clearly shows that huge mistakes can be made when we let our emotions, however noble in purpose, to override moral or ethical solutions. I loved the way that the ending was resolved but not in any detail that would have detracted from the dark intensity of the film. My only criticism of the plot was the Loki characters decision to drive to the hospital, added to the tension but was too implausible.Fabulous acting from the cast and superb cinematography.

Merrick :

10 Nov 2013 11:43:20am

((Prisoners))[[8]]Loved it. Every scene was dark and raining, not dissimilar to SEVEN. Real edge of the seat suspense. Not being a Hugh Jackman fan (I could never forgive him for 'Boy from Oz'), I didn't expect much but to his credit Jackman nailed it. Highly Recommended !

Pinkears :

08 Nov 2013 10:43:50am

((Prisoners))[[10]]What a great movie this was. My friend and I were on the edge of our seats for most of it. Our very own Hugh Jackman wasterrific in his role as was Jake Gyllanhaal as the policeman. We would have like the ending to be made clearer tho.

Daniel Spicer :

07 Nov 2013 9:27:21pm

((Prisoners))[[9]]What a long movie, and yet how immersive and utterly involving it turned out to be. I was looking forward to this, and thankfully it was excellent. I couldn't stop watching the screen - no chance of getting bored because not for a moment was the experience tiring or uninteresting. You will be addicted to the mystery, as I was, unless you don't like sitting on the edge of your seat. It's so compelling how the story unravels. It's weird because the movie is fairly slow-going. Powerful acting, a disturbing atmosphere, creative editing, and smart storytelling.

John R :

06 Nov 2013 5:08:51pm

((Prisoners))[[8]]A riveting film & so well acted, especially by the leads, & for once I wholeheartedly agree with David's & Margaret's comments. I wouldn't go as far as some of the punters' comments I've read using the film as a metaphor for 9/11 etc. This is a taut & suspenseful police thriller with various sub plots & one of better films I have seen in 2013.

red whistle :

05 Nov 2013 10:53:11am

((Prisoners))[[8]]I am not usually into graphic (as opposed to pulp) violence but this had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Many twists and turns & red herrings but I sat transfixed by the experience. (I agree with Rick's comment about the car chase)

Not For The Squeamish :

04 Nov 2013 11:20:26pm

((Prisoners))[[8]]Great film. I'll have to watch it another couple of times on DVD to get a better feel for how it hangs together. Hit the message boards and gained some valuable insights re plot, symbolism, etc. Is the film intended to be pro-torture/anti-torture and if so how? Personally, I applaud Keller for taking the law into his own hands. Unfortunately, he wasn't smart about it. He never got leverage. If he had he might've got somewhere. See the film and try to work out how you'd do it better. The only thing that ever justifies the means is the ends.

Oy What A Stinker :

04 Nov 2013 12:33:34am

((Prisoners))[[0]]I thought this film was pointless. It was sickeningly violent and disturbing. Is US cinema trying to give unbalanced people more ideas on how to commit twisted crimes? Seeing people taking the law into their own hands while at the same time praying to G-d is a bit rich. I guess it's what you expect from a country where everyone thinks the right to own a gun makes them safer. The film was even more extreme than the news reports we already get from the states. INCENDIES was a far superior film. Great actors wasted as was my movie dollar.

Tryler :

02 Nov 2013 8:21:20pm

((Prisoners))[[9]]I too found it riveting. Excellently acted, particularly Jake Gyllenhaal and Paul Dano. Does the film condone violence or invite us to question if there is ever justification for it. If so, is some degree of violence sometimes justified - how much? under what circumstances? Was the ending happy and neatly tied up as suggested by some? Imagine the next chapters in the lives of the two girls, Alex, the girls' families and Loki for that matter. Yes, the ending would be stronger if even less explicit but there is no certainty of what Loki would do next is there?

Robert Wirth :

31 Oct 2013 9:33:37am

((Prisoners))[[4]]Really made for an American audience... Unreal is the word that best describes it. Thought the ending was terrible too contrived - the maze was a ridiculous connection infact most of the connections and the resolution - the happy ending... I felt that this was a film that ultimately justified violence and torture to get justice for families and the preservation of the American way of life - bring in the guns!

Douglas :

31 Oct 2013 8:58:34am

((Prisoners))[[8]]A grim haunting film. This has surpassed The Act of Killing as the toughest film of the year. It is a comment on torture as expediency in an emergency. Only one reviewer made any kind of similar connection. One reviewer took it as a metaphor for 9/11." Another wrote "Jackman portrays the religious fearful gun-loving revengefull nutter....." Those adjectives could be the USA and Guantanmo is the outcome. In both cases tourture was not (and never is) justified. The deepening winter reflected the deepening crisis with the film tending to a bleaker black and white tone.

myles paulsen :

31 Oct 2013 4:38:00am

((Prisoners))[[8]]Margaret mentioned that Loki's tatoos "are never explained". Early on, Loki does mention in passing that he went to a boys home, so he had a delinquent past.

People might wonder that a man with the IQ of a ten-year old is allowed in America to drive a large recreational vehicle. I would only note that with respect to drivers of RVs in America, his IQ would be in the top 30 or so percent.

Dennis :

James :

29 Oct 2013 10:15:52pm

((Prisoners))[[8]]Best film I've seen in 2013. Hugh Jackman's best ever performance and Jake Gyllenhall is excellent.

One complaint I have is that the final outcome is slightly contrived (although, perhaps embarrassingly I must admit I didn't see it coming until very late). This was perhaps because I fixated in particular a (some would say minor) 'red herring' which was was inconsistent with other aspects of the film and never explained - annoying.

Matt Stuart :

28 Oct 2013 10:15:13pm

((Prisoners))[[9]]This is an absolute must see film..the best thriller since D finchers SEVEN..it's actually very Fincher like itself..with its plot twists..and incredible tension...Hugh and Jake do an incredible job..the movie is long..but keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish...incredible movie and the best I have seen this year.

Scott :

Baldbogan :

27 Oct 2013 8:44:40pm

((Prisoners))[[3]]Taught and tense little puppy of a film that would've played well if left as a straight police procedural, with some conflicted morality, which I think Hugh Jackman could've pulled off well.BUTThe big, and really, rather lame, plot twist undid the whole thing, and basically justified savagely torturing a disabled man.NOT looking fwd to hearing that some sadists have done something very similar, using this movie as an inspiration and justification.It was an easy 4.5 stars for me, but left me with a nasty taste in my mouth about the torture.

Kaite :

27 Oct 2013 5:52:01pm

((Prisoners))[[7]]Good acting, but the story was pretty silly. It was difficult to believe there were so many Fred and Rosemary Wests living in the same neighbourhood. The most interesting part of it was contemplating whether or not the victims really were better off when they got the chance to be a vigilante and take justice into their own hands. Take away all the silliness, and that theme on its own would have made for a good movie.

Jashiwoo :

25 Oct 2013 11:02:10pm

((Prisoners))[[8]]Excellent picture, well constructed storyline, solid acting and enough twists to keep you guessing. Hugh Jackman's character, Keller, was depicted especially well. He's a man who has everything in his life planned, sorted and pigeon-holed. So when he finds himself out of his comfort zone and has to put his faith in a lone detective (and god presumably) his resolve is tested. Jake Gyllenhaal gives a superb performance as the dogged detective. His perfect case solving record is not his prime motivation, it's wanting to catch the evildoers and protect the truly innocent. My only question is the kidnappers' motivation.

Meg :

25 Oct 2013 7:20:34am

((Prisoners))[[8]]Has taken me a week to decide what I really think of this film. There is a lot to think about after viewing but overall I liked it very, very much.The violence is abhorrent and some of the characters are nightmare- inducing freakers. It's a grim,dark story,wonderfully layered and crafted with fine acting all round from a top cast. It's an edge- of-your-seat, nail -biting thriller which delivers over and over.Great to see' our Hugh' doing something different.Loved the ending!! No doubt at all what Loki heard and what would have happened next.

Jman :

terry malcolm :

24 Oct 2013 9:17:12am

((Prisoners))[[8]]It's too long and very dark, but well worth seeing.Hugh Jackman's performance as the distressed father looking for his missing girl (one of two who've been apparently kidnapped) has been criticised by some for being over the top. I disagree. I think he is excellent and gives a completely believable performance. It kept me on the edge of my seat for most of its lenghth, but I was a bit uncomfortable with some violent scenes.

Ivor :

Jose :

22 Oct 2013 4:22:05pm

((Prisoners))[[8]]Very very good. Shocking at times, and it wants to be shocking. As a father myself who once lost my 2-year old son at LA airport I felt for the fathers whose daughters went missing. And I question myself how far would have I gone if my son had not been found. Jackman portrays the religious fearful gun-loving revengefull nutter so typical of the USA with perfection. Gyllenhaal protrays the solo against the world policeman with a dubious past also with perfection. The ending could not be better. Just make it whatever you want. Great cinema experience

Joey :

22 Oct 2013 3:34:43pm

((Prisoners))[[7]]Quite a long film, but does well in remaining engaging throughout... The twists and mystery of the killer are executed very well and I thought hugh jackman was especially good in this.

Rick :

22 Oct 2013 11:02:06am

((Prisoners))[[9]]Outstanding film spoilt by one of the silliest car chases with Jake Gyllenhaal speeding to the hospital and impossibly avoiding to touch any of the oncoming cars.Excellent performances by Jackman and Gyllenhaal and the under-rated Maria Bello

MikeB :

22 Oct 2013 10:36:29am

((Prisoners))[[8]]Plot line was a bit of a maze towards the end but Gyllenhaal stole the show - mesmerising on camera. I agree with those that said that Jackman was a little one dimensional but the rage was held over only a few days even though it felt like weeks.Great acting throughout generally but HT to Paul Dano as well for keeping the tension at taut levels. Overall a little too long but a must see film. I need to read up on the actual storyline I think....

denden :

22 Oct 2013 10:20:41am

((Prisoners))[[8]]Wasn't sure whether to see this but I was impressed with the reviews here. I wasn't disappointed. Not as violent as it may have been but more than enough for me. Complex but not stupefyingly so and kept the attention well for a long movie. Excellent acting from the 2 leads and the others.

Dan Niven :

22 Oct 2013 2:12:30am

((Prisoners))[[7]]Its me again.After some pondering I would like to add I think the film would have been more interesting if it was shown from the coppers perspective.His is the most interesting character yet is the least developed.Over.

Jill :

21 Oct 2013 12:45:32pm

((Prisoners))[[8]]Fantastic film, never boring, riveting. I thought Hugh Jackman over acted a bit. Too much heavy breathing to denote anger, exhaustion, angst, everything. Gyllenhaal brilliant. I don't think it had an uncertain ending. Without giving the ending away, aren't we left to know that he will be found? Thought it was incredible that it was filmed in Georgia, meant to be Pennsylvania. It looked so cold and bleak.

Marguerite :

Marguerite :

20 Oct 2013 9:37:53pm

((Prisoners))[[10]]The very first frame signalled what a riveting film this is. The motivation for each characters' actions is not spelled out and the movie goer has to construct meaning for themselves. For example: why was Loki eating Thanksgiving dinner alone in a diner and what was the significance of the tattoos? Equally with Dover and his survivor mentality. more about the women would have been appreciated. If you want fast action and lots of sex it won't be for you, see below - Booby Dazzler. If you enjoy films with complex plots and in-depth character development don't miss it.

Leigh :

19 Oct 2013 9:57:05am

((Prisoners))[[8]]Prisoners is far more layered and complex than most will come expecting. But it is a much more accomplished a film for being so. From the opening scene, it immediately captures and escorts you into the world of these well-developed characters. The premise does not take long to build tension while the screenplay takes its time assessing each subject on film and providing a few clues to how they may be involved in the drama. What results is a gripping film that will leave most with some piecing of the puzzle left to do post-credits, but is absolutely accomplished filmmaking.

Jane :

18 Oct 2013 8:51:49pm

((Prisoners))[[8]]This is a dark and gruesome thriller. The story is very good and the acting is flawless. Hugh Jackman is Oscar material in this for sure.

I think Gravity (I LOVE that movie and will happily see it a third time at a cinema before I buy the movie) I reckon will get an oscar for cinematography and best sound at the very least [it's FABULOUS] - and Hugh Jackman for best actor in Prisoners.

Jonathon :

18 Oct 2013 5:43:24pm

((Prisoners))[[7]]A good suspense/thriller with excellent performances by Hugh Jackman as the father whose daughter has gone missing and by Jake Gyllenhaal as the cop investigating the disappearance of the two girls. The running length of the film (2.5 hours)is a bit long and the film is at times quite violent and difficult to watch. There are some good twists in the film. The film reminded me a bit of Ransom and also Mystic River.

harry georgatos :

17 Oct 2013 6:58:15pm

((Prisoners))[[8]]This is an extremely well-crafted police procedural investigation with two missing girls. Jake Gyllenhaul gives an authentic performance as the leading officer on the case. Jackman gives his most complex performance of his career and has to suffer for taking the law into his own hands in such ugly extreme measures. Some wanted the torture scenes to have been more explicit but most is left to the imagination. There's some plot points one could question but not every case gets solved. A brilliantly shot film in the genre!

luckyluciano :

17 Oct 2013 6:08:54pm

((Prisoners))[[7]]I totally agree with Margaret that Prisoners is never less than riveting. I guess it would be very traumatic for any parent to have a child go missing as this film depicts. Parents would be experiencing emotions as portrayed in the film but I think Hugh Jackman took his character emotions to a level I was shocked to see. Being a religious family man he should of had more sense and more faith in dealing with the situation rather than taking matters into his own hands. Therefore I also minded the explicitness of this film. A good film overall.

Brad :

17 Oct 2013 5:22:28pm

((Prisoners))[[8]]Film was a lot different than I expected and certainly very disturbing. Jackman takes off his Mr Nice Guy suit and portrays an intense man on the verge of madness, will get an Oscar nomination but a little to violent to win the big one. It's Jake Gyllenhaal who is the stand out performer a lonely soul who carries his police badge to hide his mysterious past. Film won't be loved by everyone because of its issues and its uncertain ending which I liked.

wattlesong :

11 Oct 2013 3:21:40am

((Prisoners))[[0]]I've read that this picture is a metaphor for 9/11. Too little has been done to look at the 'why' of that event, and the ill-informed over-reaction of the US - and the allies who blindly followed them into two unwinnable wars - and policies that rode roughshod over human rights.On a lighter side, the thought of Jake and Hugh in the same picture is tantalising. My only concern is what (the highly tolerant) Margaret might mean by "l minded the explicitness."

Roger :

10 Oct 2013 9:50:42am

((Prisoners))[[10]]Fantastic cast (finally Hugh Jackman is able to show in this film what kind of excellent actor he is and Jake Gyllenhaal is brilliant as well), incredible story by a very talented director. Will be in the race for Oscars upfront!